Inspired by legendary Stanford University women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer, this Fund honors her extraordinary legacy by providing grants that support the advancement of women coaches in all collegiate sports, from basketball and volleyball to water polo and fencing, providing opportunities through fellowships, mentorship and professional development. 

Teacher. Mentor. Leader. Woman. Coach.
She teaches, coaches and transforms. She helps girls grow into women who want to win, in sport and in life. She inspires them to pass it on. She’s a coach. And inspiring girls and women, is what they do.

In sport and life, girls need to see women in leadership roles.
In the 50 years since Title IX’s passage, the percentage of women in collegiate coaching roles has declined. In the 1970-71 academic year, 90% of all head coaches for women’s college teams were women. In 2024, women held only 41% of these positions in women’s NCAA sports.

WSF is determined to change that. Honoring Tara VanDerveer, this pioneering program seeks to address the lack of women coaches through investment and mentorship. This Fund is a salute to the extraordinary compassion, optimism and leadership that its namesake has shown over the years. 

The Tara VanDerveer Fund for the Advancement of Women in Coaching is proudly administered by WSF and supported through generous private and public donations.

Grant Deadlines

Anticipated Application Timeline

• January 7, 2026 – Applications open.
• March 11, 2026 – Deadline to submit applications.
• April 8, 2026 – First round review completed, and all applicants notified.
• April 13 – April 27, 2026 – Second round review, schools that advance may be asked for a Zoom interview.
• May 8, 2026 – Schools notified of final decisions.
• August 1, 2026 – Grant period officially begins.

*This timeline is subject to change.

Grant Eligibility

• Institutions of higher education with varsity athletic programs that are located within the 50 United States, District of Columbia and U.S. Territories, including tribal colleges and universities
• All NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA and other athletic association member institutions are encouraged to apply.
• Institutions may apply with a specific candidate for the WSF VanDerveer Fellowship in mind but an individual may not apply here to gain a WSF VanDerveer Fellowship for herself. (e.g. individuals must be sponsored by a university or college which would submit the application.)

Grant Criteria

A judging committee will evaluate each application based on the information provided in the application including the following criteria:

• Profile of the institution’s proposed mentor coach and perceived mentorship experience of the WSF VanDerveer Fellow
• Proposed job description for the WSF VanDerveer Fellow
• Institution’s plan and process for selecting a WSF VanDerveer Fellow
• Institution’s commitment to provide additional support to the WSF VanDerveer Fellow, above and beyond WSF grant money
• The institution’s demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion for its athletics department, and faculty and student-body overall

Objectives of Grant

The WSF Tara VanDerveer Fund for the Advancement of Women in Coaching addresses a key challenge of Title IX: while the landmark legislation opened doors for girls and women in sports, the percentage of women in collegiate coaching has declined sharply. In 1971, women held 90% of head coaching roles for women’s college teams; by the 2024-25 academic year, that figure is just 41% in the NCAA. The gap is even more stark for BIPOC women, who account for only 8% of head coaching roles in women’s NCAA sports. Women also hold just 29% of NCAA assistant coaching positions, with BIPOC women making up only 7% of assistants across men’s and women’s teams. All the while, women head coaches of men’s collegiate teams has remained relatively stagnant during the same time frame.

This grant program seeks to address the lack of women in collegiate coaching by prioritizing investment, professional development, networking, and mentorship. Grants are awarded to institutions of higher education in the United States which are committed to the objective of the Fund.

Grant Requirements

Awarded institutions must agree to the following:

• To use the grant for its intended purpose. (e.g. to create or increase the salary/stipend of a WSF VanDerveer Fellow, room and board, and professional development opportunities)
• To allow the selected fellow to attend at least 3 professional development opportunities (one being the Women’s Sports Foundation’s annual Sports Advocacy Network meeting and Annual Salute to Women in Sports awards gala).
• To include recognition of this grant and the Women’s Sports Foundation in all publicity surrounding this Fellowship position.
• To be available for interview(s) on behalf of the Women’s Sports Foundation based on advanced notice and availability.
• To provide two progress reports, one midway through the fellowship and one at the conclusion. If you do not satisfy these reporting requirements you will not be eligible to reapply for this or any other WSF grant in the future.

Grant Expectations for Professional Development

In order to fulfill the grant requirements, a VanDerveer Fellow is expected to attend at least two professional development opportunities (e.g. relevant coaching association conference, women’s coaching networking events). The WSF VanDerveer Fellow will have $2,500 to spend on professional development. This amount is over and above the $15,000 grant.

Additionally, WSF VanDerveer Fellows will be expected to attend the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Annual Salute in October. Travel and lodging for this event will be paid and organized by WSF and is not expected to come out of the $2,500 professional development budget.

Grant Award

Institutions will be awarded $15,000 to be used in support of their Fellow; an additional $2,500 will be provided specifically for professional development opportunities for the WSF VanDerveer Fellow.

It is up to the awarded institution to determine how they would like to distribute funds to the Fellow (e.g. via installments or one lump sum). Institutions may choose to increase a WSF VanDerveer Fellow stipend or salary by adding money from their institutional budget.

Grant Allocation

Funds are given directly to the college or university to provide stipends to their WSF VanDerveer Fellows as well as to cover costs of housing, training, mentoring, and professional opportunities.

How to Apply

During the program application period, an authorized representative must visit Foundant GLM, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s grant-management system, and follow the directions to register a new user profile or update an existing profile. Limit one (1) profile per person/email address. Once your profile is registered, you will be able to save and submit your application on the website.

Please read carefully through the full eligibility requirements, college guidelines and program criteria before starting a Foundant account and applying. Applicants will be judged on what information is available or provided at the time of application submission.

Notification of Application Acceptance

You will receive an e-mail at the e-mail address provided in your profile when your application has been received.

Any application that is late, incomplete or requesting funds for an event or purchase of equipment that will occur before the applicant would receive the grant money will not be accepted.

Other conditions under which an application will not be accepted:

• Applications that are e-mailed or faxed
• Applications for programs that require compulsory religious participation
• Applications requesting funding towards the purchase of land, construction of buildings, event sponsorships, and/or the purchase/care of animals
• Applications requesting retroactive funding

2025 Recipients

Donate Now to the WSF VanDerveer Fund

Contact

If after reading these guidelines carefully you still have questions, please contact Morgan Powell: 516.307.3971 or MPowell@WomensSportsFoundation.org

Rooted in Scott Pioli’s decades‑long commitment to equity and mentorship in football, this Fund supports women building careers as coaches and scouts across collegiate and professional football. Created through the generosity of Scott Pioli and his family, the Fund expands access to training, education, and professional pathways — helping ensure more women enter and advance through football’s leadership pipeline.

About the Pioli & Family Fund

A three‑time Super Bowl champion and longtime NFL personnel executive, Scott Pioli has been a vocal advocate for equality and a mentor to women across the sport. Guided by his family’s belief in Billie Jean King’s vision of women and men advancing together in sport, the Fund reflects a shared commitment to strengthening representation and opportunity in football.

Women continue to make strides in coaching and scouting, yet access to resources, mentorship, and institutional support remains uneven. The Pioli & Family Fund addresses these barriers by providing financial assistance that helps women pursue opportunities that move their careers forward — from certifications and professional development to travel, housing, and job‑related expenses. Grants are awarded to individuals in the United States who demonstrate commitment to the objectives of the Fund.

The Scott Pioli & Family Fund is proudly administered by WSF and supported through generous private and public donations. Learn more about how you can support the Fund below.

Financial Award

Grants are awarded to individuals in the United States who are committed to the objectives of the Fund. Award amounts typically range from $2,000–$10,000 and may be used for job‑related expenses — including professional development, travel, education, and housing — that support advancement in football coaching or scouting.

Who Can Apply

• Individuals pursuing careers in football coaching or scouting within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.
• Part‑time coaches or scouts, graduate assistants, early‑career professionals, and established coaches or scouts in collegiate or professional football.
• All eligible individuals are encouraged to apply.
• Applications must be submitted directly by the individual; institutional sponsorship is not required.

Grant Application Timeline

The application period is currently closed. Please return in January 2027 for our next funding opportunity.

• January 13, 2027 – Applications open.
• April 30, 2027 – Application deadline.
• June 7, 2027 – Final decisions communicated.
• July 1, 2027 – Grant period beings.

This timeline may be adjusted as necessary.

How to Apply & Grant Criteria

During the application period, applicants may submit via Foundant GLM. Applications are evaluated according to the objectives of the Fund and the information provided by each applicant. Grants are awarded based on:

• Financial need
• Potential for advancement in football coaching or scouting
• Lack of support from traditional sources
• Potential impact of the grant on advancing the objectives of the Fund

Recipients are responsible for ensuring that all requested expenses comply with the rules and regulations of their governing organization(s).

Apply Here

Notification of Application Acceptance

You will receive an email at the address provided in your profile once your application has been received. Applications that are late, incomplete or request funds for an ineligible request will not be accepted. Additional conditions under which an application will not be accepted include:

• Applications submitted via email or fax
• Applications for programs that require compulsory religious participation
• Applications requesting funding towards the purchase of land, construction of buildings, event sponsorships, and/or the purchase/care of animals
• Applications seeking retroactive funding

2026 Grant Recipients

Meet the current recipients of the Scott Pioli & Family Fund, a cohort of emerging coaches and scouts whose work reflects the mission and impact of the Fund. Previous recipients are listed below.

Previous Recipients

About Scott Pioli

Scott Pioli is a nationally respected former NFL executive whose 30-plus year career includes five Super Bowl appearances, three Super Bowl championships, four AFC Championships, one NFC Championship, and nine Division titles. Pioli has consistently proven himself a top-tier professional executive and is widely recognized as one of the key architects of the Patriots dynasty.

Pioli’s professional contributions have earned him widespread recognition and distinction. He has been awarded the prestigious NFL Executive of the Year title five times and has been honored as the NFL’s Executive of the Decade by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Sporting News. Notably, Pioli still holds the distinction of being the youngest recipient of the George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award.

Pioli spent three decades in the NFL before becoming an analyst for various media outlets including NBC, NFL Network and CBS Sports. He is a sought after speaker and consultant that works for several companies, college athletic departments and the NFL. Additionally, Pioli and his wife are also investors/owners in the NWSL’s Boston Legacy FC franchise that began play in 2026.

As part of his work, Pioli is involved in various board affiliations that align with his values. He serves on the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Board of Trustees, where he chairs the Finance and Legal Committee, and contributes to RISE as a board member (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) and is the co-founder of RISE to Vote, actively promoting non-partisan civic engagement. He is also on the National Advisory Council for Women Leaders in Sports, a national non-profit organization that empowers women to advance into positions of influence and transform the world of sports through world-class leadership development, career training, and access to a powerful network. Pioli’s commitment is also evident through his involvement with the Black College Football Hall of Fame as a board member, the selection committee and his role as a founding member of the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Council. He was named as the 2024 Black College Football HOF Founders Award by founders James ‘Shack’ Harris and Doug Williams.

Contact

For questions about the Fund, contact Morgan Powell at MPowell@WomensSportsFoundation.org.

Donor Info

We are grateful for the philanthropic support of generous donors who believe in the power of sport to empower girls and women.

If you have questions about making a donation, please contact Lisa Thuer-Winkelfoos at LThuer@WomensSportsFoundation.org

Donate Now to the Scott Pioli & Family Fund